PREVIEW: Ocean Colour Scene - Painting

90's mod legends Ocean Colour Scene return with a brilliant new album 'Painting', released on Cooking Vinyl records. Hear the new single by scrolling down this page...

Back in the 1990's (which you'll soon discover is the decade my heart will always belong to)Ocean Colour Scene were one of my favourites, and their 1996 classic Moseley Shoals and the brilliant follow-up Marchin' Already are two albums I still rate highly. I've been somewhat underwhelmed by the records they've released since, although each one had occasional moments of sheer greatness. Their new offering 'Painting' sees them regain some of the old magic. As soon as you listen to it, you can hear that something has clicked back into place. As an album it's more consistent and cohesive than the work OCS produced during the 2000's, and the songs just seem to have more life in them. Where some of the ballads on previous records were a bit dull, the slower numbers here seem so much more vital, and instead of lightweight rock we get upbeat tunes, catchy choruses and Steve Cradock's most satisfying guitar work in years.

If you're one of those people who dislike this band for being "boring old dadrock" or you just like to slag them off because it's fashionable to do so in the music press, then maybe you should sit down and listen to this new record, because the quality of the songwriting might just change your mind. Although 'Professor Perplex' might make you giggle. And it's the only thing on the album that I'm not keen on. I'll explain why in my upcoming review. The addictively bright title track from 'Painting' can be heard HERE.

Not many bands get to make it this far so it's to be hugely applauded that Ocean Colour Scene release their landmark 10th studio album February 11th. This collection of 14 new songs is released on Cooking Vinyl Records and was recorded over five weeks at Vada Studios in Warwickshire with produer Matt Terry. It s a sonic splash of colour reflecting eclectic influences ranging from Bert Jansch and Burning Spear to Bacharach and David. The album is a representation of all that is great about British rock; anthems, heartfelt ballads and weird, left-of-middle psychedelic wig-outs. Quite simply, Painting is another great record from British pop s most under-rated storytellers. As artistic statements go, it might just be their masterpiece.

PRE-ORDER 'PAINTING' - smarturl.it/ocspainting

The album's breezy, catchy title track is released as a single on February 11th, the track is a "glorious slab of uplifting pop perfection guaranteed to lift anyone out of the winter blues." The single will also be available from iTunes at the earlier date of January 9th.

February
15 – DUBLIN The Academy
16 – DUBLIN – The Academy – SOLD OUT
21 – GLASGOW – 02 ABC
22 – GLASGOW – 02 ABC – SOLD OUT
23 – GLASGOW – 02 ABC
25 – LONDON Electric Ballroom
26 – LONDON Electric Ballroom
27 – LONDON Electric Ballroom